Traction device



Feb. 11, 1941. o. B. 'sTRAwN 2,231,203

TRACTION DEVICE` Filed Nov. 2, 1938 ATTOR N EYS PatentedFeb. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRACTION DEVICE Oscar B. Strawn, Lewis, Kans.

Application November 2, 1938, Serial No. 238,473

1 Claim.

My invention relates to traction or propelling devices for wheels Aof motor driven vehicles, such as automobile trucks, tractors, and the like and has as one of the principal objects thereof the provision .of a wheel of the above described character equipped with means embodying road engaging members together with means whereby said members may be adjusted to any required extent for affording traction to the wheel and insure a rm gripping with the road to prevent skidding of said wheel.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described which is simple in construction, durable in use, efficient in operation, capable of ready adjustment, and economical in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention as applied to the traction wheel of a motor vehicle, certain parts being broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction ther-cof.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

In reducing my invention to practice, I provide a main casting 5 of a cylindrical configuration having fashioned on the inner side face thereof a laterally extending conical shaped section 'I, the outer end of which is seated within a recess fashioned in the disk 8 of a disk wheel W having mounted on the rim 9 thereof a pneumatic tire Ill as clearly illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing. l

The casting 5 is maintained in connected relation with the disk 8 by means of bolts II and the outer or opposite side face of said casting has secured thereto a plate I2 by means of the bolts I I and other bolts I2a. Said plate I2 is fashioned with an outwardly offset section I3 constituting a housing. The casting is formed with a centrally disposed transverse opening I4 for the reception of a hub cap I5 on the end of an axle I6 on which the wheel is mounted. V

The outer side of the casting 5, adjacent the plate I2, is fashioned with radially extending grooves II which coact with the inner face of the plate I2 to form relatively square-shaped guideways in which are mounted similar shaped lower end sections of arms I8 adapted for sliding movement therein. Adjacent the inner ends of the grooves I'I, the casting is fashioned with recesses4 I9 in which are rotatably mounted gear pinions 20. The gear pinions 20 are threadedly mounted on threaded shafts 2|, the outer ends of which are squared and fixed within the inner ends of the arms I 8. The lower ends of the shafts 2| extend through channels formed on the outer face of the casting between the recesses I9 and opening I4 thereof.

The housing I3 is fashioned with a centrally disposed bearing opening 22 in which is journaled a shaft 23, the inner end of which has fixed thereon a bevel gear 24 meshing with the pinions 20. The outer end of the shaft 23 is formed with a transversely extending tool opening 25 for the reception of the end of a tool or crank whereby the gear 24 may be rotated within the housing I3. Obviously, upon rotation of the gear 24, the pinions 20 will likewise be rotated and effect inner or outer movement of the shafts 2| according to the direction of rotation of the gear 24.

The outer ends of the arms I8 extend beyond the periphery of the casting and are fashioned with flanges 26 on which are bolted similar shaped flanges 2'I integrally formed on the inner or base ends of triangular-shaped lugs: 28. When the arms I8 are in retracted position as illustrated in full lines in Figure 2 of the drawing, the apex ends of the lugs are positioned within the circumference of the tire I0 and upon operation of the gear 24 in a direction to move the arms outwardly, the` apex ends of the lugs will be extended an appreciable distance beyond the circumference of the tire I0 as clearly illustrated in dotted line in Figure 2, whereby said lugs penetrate the surface of the roadway or ground and insure the wheel obtaining traction therewith.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a simple and efficient device capable of being adjusted in a manner to insure traction wheels having traction with the surface of the ground and preclude skidding of said Wheels.

It is obvious that the invention is not conned to the herein described use therefor as it may be utilized for any purpose to which it is adaptable. It is therefore to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited to the specific construction as illustrated and described, as the same is only illustrative of the principles of operation which are capable of extended application in advance forms, and that the invention comprehends plate fashioned with a centrally disposed outwardly extending gear housing surrounding and enclosing said pinions and said shafts, a bevel gear in said housing and meshing with said pinions, road engaging lugs xed to the outer ends of said arms and normally maintained Within the circumference of said tire, and a shaft rotatably carried by and centrally disposed through said plate and fixed to said bevel gear for operating the latter whereby to actuate said arms in an outward direction to project said lugs beyond the circumference of said tire for engagement with the. ground to insure traction to said Wheel.

OSCAR B. STRAWN. 

